Without the skits and small pranks played on movie fans, this sailed by at a good clip. They don't need a host.

But even then, the acceptance speeches were regularly chopped off. I suspect that's because of the copious commercial breaks, and if we're changing up the format, let's bring in subtle onscreen segment sponsorship as with soccer matches.

I really thought Isle of Dogs would take animated feature, but I won't complain about Spider-Verse winning.

I can do without the host--I certainly don't need the "let's surprise a bunch of random moviegoers" thing reprised. But I would have liked to have a little something more than just awards, songs, and clips of the Best Picture nominees. Apart from the In Memoriam (BTW, how does Albert Finney get the last spot over Penny Marshall or Burt Reynolds), there was nothing about movie history. It's a bad sign when the best salute to Hollywood history on the night is a Google ad!